I offer hands-on creative writing workshops in poetry and prose (3-5 days each---3 workshops per day---across a chosen grade level, where each class gets 3-5 visits each). I meet with teachers to discuss their curriculum needs and thematic requests, suggesting various workshop ideas tailored to their requests. Teachers then choose what works best for them---for example: Assistance with reluctant writers, adding details, word choice, adjective strength, voice---in whatever current learning theme is paramount, such as animals, environment, feelings, character development, social studies, etc. I support teachers throughout the residency where they will be present and interact whenever their insight is needed as I teach. During and after the residency, I check in (over lunch, etc.) to ascertain how teachers are feeling about their students' progress, and also to offer many resources from both my books, stories, poems, and teacher oriented publications (nine books with Scholastic Professional Books for teachers) where they might copy any lessons they wish to use in the future. I also offer follow-up ideas at the end of every residency for those who wish to continue using the writing "tools/ideas" I present to their students. And there are always numerous options! I love to work with the core levels to help develop a stronger writing momentum with students (for example, 2nd grades in fall, same students in 3rd grade with different themes/format the following year, 4th grade added on or begun simultaneously--always building on previous workshop skills, etc. Districts have booked me in various schools for 25 plus years, often having me conduct workshops from year to year in multiple levels, as teachers love the support and boost my energy brings to their classrooms and students from which they springboard after I leave. The sky's the limit! I am here to serve educationally and creatively.

At TWUSA, we're firm believers in the vital role of theater in our youth's development. Our multi-session arts programs cater to all ages and abilities, aligning with educational and arts standards. We provide curriculum, all supplies, and passionate Teaching Artists who create safe spaces for structured youth development, active learning, and SEL skill practice. You'll also gain access to free shows and unwavering support from our education team. We provide a sliding scale for pricing and offer customize residencies for K-12 sites and beyond.

This is a high energy music filled program consisting of Line Dance Instruction and a Western Trick Roping Demonstration followed by an interactive trick roping lesson. Jeff is one of the best when it comes to teaching fun easy line dances with many years experience. He has also performed his trick roping show for years as well. If you are looking for a unique and fun program, try this out! The program can be modified for all ages and works for any size group. As a retired public school teacher, Jeff has a good handle on working with kids of all grade levels. The program can be a full day or a half day tailored to your school schedule. Check out the link to the YouTube video to see just how much fun the program is. Feel free to contact Jeff Reynolds for more information and pricing options. This program is sure to be engaging and fun every time!!

Day in Clay is a diverse, multicultural ceramic art program for K–12, including professional development and disabilities. The programs are conducted virtually and in school. Overview Headquartered in Tomkins Cove, NY, Day in Clay was founded by Cliff Mendelson in 1988. Day in Clay provides a multicultural ceramic artist in residence programs for K–12 in over 400 schools and districts. It offers both virtual and on-site assemblies and classroom interactive programs with diverse culturally inspired hands-on/demonstrations in clay. Students get a real taste of the creative process and how design, form, and function relate across disciplines and cultures. Students create and explore African, Asian, Latin/ Native American, and Greek cultures through programs like vessel making, tile making, mask making and multicultural potter's wheel, all custom-tailored for their curriculum. Students work directly with clay, learning advanced techniques and understanding how each culture tells their unique story through 3D art, and discover the relationship between art and society. In the class, students become involved in working with clay while learning advanced techniques and the science behind glazing, painting, and firing. They explore the relationship between art, science, and society. Students also use historical techniques to create, decorate, and design vessels using culturally specific patterns, symbols, and imagery. Day in Clay invites an artist to demonstrate various aspects of different programs, how they connect to the history of ceramics, and show the interrelation of ceramics in cultures worldwide. Staff development provides arts faculty with the techniques, cultural history, and hands-on problem-solving, ready-to-go lesson plans to bring clay into the classroom. Staff learn to use cultural connections as a way to connect students to their own work. The training mirrors Mendelson's college-level teaching, where engagement and sharing expertise are paramount. Lessons are tied into Native American, Asian, African, Latin American, and Greek cultures. Mendelson provides advanced hand-building techniques and the science behind glazing, painting, and firing. Staff development is custom-tailored to meet the needs of a school’s faculty. The best way to problem-solve with students is a hands-on approach and learning the limits of the materials to advance their success. A lively Q&A is always encouraged!

David Gonzalez, PhD. has had a long life of creating content and performing for young audiences. He has a YouTube channel on which you can explore featuring his many offerings for kids K-12 and covering a number of topics. He has a show titled " Finding North" about the underground railroad, and the present day migrant issues. Aesop Bops! is for the youngest, Cuentos: Tales from the LatinX World is for grades 2-5 in which he offers some bi-lingual interactions with the students, Maddog and Me: Bullying and the Power of Kindness is for middle schoolers. David also creates performances for general audiences. Please contact manager Sandra Peevers for more information, video links, etc. and to discuss availability and fee. David tours countrywide, so identifying your dates early is recommended. David also offers Teacher Development courses as well as workshops for kids. DAVID GONZALEZ - BIOGRAPHY Storyteller/musician/poet/playwright David Gonzalez, Ph.D received the Lifetime Achievement Award from International Performing Arts for Youth, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his original production of “The Frog Bride” at Broadway’s New Victory Theater. Mr. Gonzalez was named a Fellow of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and was the host of New York Kids on WNYC for eight seasons. He wrote Rise for Freedom!, an opera libretto commissioned and produced by the Cincinnati Opera, and Mariel, an Afro-Cuban musical which won the Macy’s “New Play Prize for Young Audiences”. Mr. Gonzalez' poetry has been featured at Lincoln Center's Out-of-Doors Festival, Bill Moyers' documentary Fooling with Words on PBS, and NPR's All Things Considered. His performance poem, Oh Hudson, was commissioned by the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center to commemorate the Quadri-centennial of Henry Hudson’s exploration. He is the author of numerous plays and one-man shows including: The Boy Who Could Sing Pictures, Aesop Bops!, Double Crossed: The Saga of the St. Louis, As If The Past Were Listening, MytholoJazz, Maddog and Me, Wounded Splendor, Finding North, City of Dreams, Sofrito!, The Carnival of the Animals, The Man of the House, and Sleeping Beauty which have been presented at many of the best performing arts centers, theaters, and festivals in the US and abroad. David was a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival and received his doctorate from New York University's School of Education. Mr. Gonzalez is bi-lingual and is the Artistic Director for the Crisalida Communications, a company that consults on arts outreach to theaters and community organizations. For schools, David's main shows are: Aesop Bops!, Cuentos: Tales from the LatinX World, Maddog and Me: Bullying and the Power of Kindness, and Finding North.

Your school will be amazed at the magic. They will laugh at the hysterical comedy. But most importantly, they will get excited about being Fit! The bFit Show is a 45-minute elementary fitness and nutrition program designed to get your kids interested in getting Fit. The show uses magic, comedy, juggling, music, and tons of audience participation to deliver a powerful and motivational message that kids in America need to hear! The bFit Show uses magic, comedy, juggling, and audience participation to get your elementary school excited about eating healthy, fitness, nutrition, and exercise! Students, teachers, parents, and administrators will love and talk about The bFit Show for days, weeks, and months to come. And this program may help your school fight child obesity, diabetes, and heart disease! The bFit Show with Brian Richards is an elementary health and fitness assembly that will get your students up and moving!

We offer dynamic, bilingual programs tailored for our diverse community, showcasing author visits, writing workshops, poetry readings, and engaging cultural events. Through immersive experiences, we celebrate heritage as our superpower, focusing on Afro-Caribbean culture and exploring themes like personal and cultural identity, belonging, migration, and family values. Our programs are designed to be engaging and culturally responsive, offering a rich fusion of experiences for all.

Judd Sunshine – Teaching Artist since 1985 Judd Sunshine began his career as a teaching artist with the renowned school assembly group known as The Hill Brothers. Between 1985 and 2022, The Hill Brothers performed thousands of educational concerts for students all over New York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. Following the retirement of his fellow Hill Brothers and Sister Susie Hill, he continues the tradition of presenting quality, theme driven, educational, and entertaining programs as a solo performer. His 5 themed shows are comprised of songs and messages delivered with gentle humor and loads of audience participation: Anti Bully Literacy Character Ed (Respect and responsibility) Wellness (safe choices!) Americana and Erie Canal Songs Judd also offers an Erie Canal Songwriting residency as well as non themed shows just for the pure fun of it (great for the end of the school year or summer programs/camps!)

Richard Celestin Consulting Group LLC offers skill development, social-emotional and law-based programming and services to K-12 school communities, including students, parents and teachers. This includes workshops, assemblies, trainings and consulting. The founder, Richard Celestin, Esq., is an experienced attorney, educator and author with extensive experience working with youth and adults within schools, CBO's and not-for-profits. Topics include college and career readiness, debate and advocacy, healthy relationships, social media use, critical and consequential thinking and much more.

Backtrack Vocals is an a cappella group from New York City. They have extensive touring history across the United States, as well as performances in Vietnam and Kazakhstan. They infuse heart and humor into their educational programs, and their versatile repertoire, spanning Top 40 hits, Motown, classical, show tunes, and original music offers programming for any age! They have conducted educational programs at over 250 schools worldwide, from elementary assemblies to college workshops and a cappella camps in the US and abroad. Our offerings include school assemblies, choir workshops, professional development for choir directors, and introductory clinics on: beatboxing, group vocal improv, pop vocal techniques, choreography, and more. You can find testimonials and more details on these programs here: https://www.backtrackvocals.com/educational-programs

This specially designed virtual show gets students engaged and excited to experience amazing principles of science while they share safe experiments in front of their computers. Exciting experiments from two of our most popular assembly programs, Wacky Science & SuperMarket Science, have become hands-on lessons kids do under the virtual and side-by-side aid of our wacky scientist, Doug Scheer.

Alan Katz is the author of more than 50 picture books, poetry collections, and middle grade novels for young readers (including Take Me Out of the Bathtub, Got Your Nose, OOPS!, The Funniest Joke Book Ever for Kids, and Misty the Cloud, a NYT bestseller written with Dylan Dreyer of the Today show). Alan's program is an inspiring look at his career as a reader and writer. In a virtual multimedia presentation that includes his work as an award-winning author, TV writer, animation creator, comic book/trading card writer, theater producer, kids' radio host and more, he laughingly fosters a “hey, I can read that/I can write that” attitude. Silly Dilly singing, ridiculous rhyming and a recap of his wildly creative career make for an insightful and enjoyable presentation. (Incidentally, he's also got three-person musicals based on my Silly Dilly songbooks and on my joke book, and can bring them to your school or library...starring my son, who's now playing Peter in the Pinkalicious musical Off-Broadway!)